Following the lockdown and restriction of movement to curb the spread of coronavirus, virtual meetings/webinars have become an alternative for physical meetings and training sessions. Kehinde Adegboyega offers tips on how to prepare to participate and maximize online sessions.
Set up your calendar and reminder.
It’s very easy to forget that you have a webinar to attend during this global lockdown. Set up a reminder with your local time.
Prepare ahead.
Preparing ahead also includes ensuring you have the best lighting and background if you will be using the webcam.
Understand or learn about the app for the webinar before the session starts.
There are various webinar app and platforms. These include the popular zoom, GotoWebinar, Google Hang out and many more. Even Facebook is trying to compete in the space now.
Ensure your microphone and headphone is working
Ensure your internet is working
Ensure your camera is working
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Mute your microphone and video if you won’t be talking until you have to.
If you stay with your family, give them heads up that you will be having a meeting to avoid embarrassing situations. You don’t want to have a case of distracting noise in your house or your children showing up behind you in a video conference while speaking.
Take notes: There may things you need to write down to avoid forgetting them. It could an assignment you are given or an interesting point you need to apply in your work later.
Build Relationships: Note some of the participants who you may stay in touch with after the meeting. You may need to send them a direct message with an introduction that you were also at the meeting he or she participated in before any other discussion you want to initiate.
Ask relevant questions
Avoid asking questions for the sake of doing so or to be noticed. If you really have a question, indicate and wait to be asked to do so before asking. Ask the relevant question to the issues discussed. Like in physical meetings, if someone else has asked your question don’t repeat it.
Please note the following guidelines:
Kindly respect the host and other participants by muting your audio at all times.
When you join the call, if you wish, introduce yourself in the chatbox: tell us your name, profession and what you hope to learn in the session
If you want to raise a question or make a comment, please type it in the chatbox.
If you have to exit (or rejoin) the call at any time, please feel free to do so.
Please be respectful to all participants; any participant who is deliberately/consistently disrespectful might be blocked from the call.
Mike Demola Atobaba
Weldon sir, Comr. Lekan. The little you taught us in Ekiti during the workshop/training at the state council of the NUJ still refresh in memory till today. I really enjoyed the two books I bought at the seminar. Very helpful! I don’t pray to miss this too. More power to your elbow. God bless you sir.